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Reviewed

Wolsey Hall Oxford

Independent school · Oxford, OX2 0PH
  • All through
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 3-18
  • Not provided
  • 3,740 pupils
  • Online only
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

An exceptionally professional and longstanding distance learning school that provides a flexible, innovative, well supported and accredited curriculum. With subject specialists, well-resourced support services and a huge breadth of courses, it’s a game changer for home schooling. ‘The way they lead a student through the course sets them up for success,’ said one parent. ‘The school is 100 per cent pupil focused and does everything to provide a caring and supporting learning environment,’ commented another.’ Ninety-eight per cent would recommend it to other families.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
3,740 ·
Religion
Inter- / non- denominational
Fees
Varies per course

Headteacher

Principal

Gavin McLean

Since 2023, Gavin McLean, whose career in international education started in publishing company Macmillan and later included National Geographic Learning before he moved into online schooling, first with Edmentum and then Hudson Global Scholars as


Entrance

Academically non-selective (except for some A level entry requirements), with joiners from age 4+ throughout the year. Even IGCSEs and A level courses can be started at any point, presuming there’s enough time to fit in the study hours before the

Open days
Take place fortnightly

Exit

Some students transition into a physical school, others use Wolsey Hall Oxford for their entire schooling. Post A levels, majority to university, some overseas, as you’d expect from such an international community. Most popular UK universities are St


Latest results

In 2025, 28 per cent 9-7 at IGCSE; 18 per cent A*/A at A level (40 per cent A*-B). Note that all students enter exams as private candidates, so these results are based only on parents who provide exam results.


Teaching & learning

As flexible as it gets, with students choosing what, where, when and how they study – with no live lessons, no set timetables and no minimum number of subjects. ‘A home schooler’s dream,’ as one parent said, ‘especially if you don’t want them to have


Learning support & SEN

A real strength – around 380 students have SEN or SEMH, and numbers are growing, with 62 per cent of enrolments in the year we reviewed the school, a rise from 44 per cent the previous year. Nearly a quarter of these students are autistic, 21 per


Arts & extracurricular

Online clubs reasonably popular. One tutor said several of her students had ‘clicked with someone else in a club and gone on to be friends outside school’. But all parents we spoke to acknowledge the need for students to attend real-life clubs too.


Sport

Clearly not a reason you choose online schooling, but there’s no shortage of sporty youngsters among these students – many are professional athletes, and nearly all belong to a sports club outside school.


Ethos & heritage

Founded in 1894, this is one of the world’s oldest distance learning organisations. The 1930s were a milestone as they started supplying degree-level courses via the University of London – and a decade later they were supplying British Armed Forces


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

A USP is that every student gets a student progress manager (SPM) who meets them online, then oversees their entire learning journey, including offering advice on future study plans and working with exams officers. ‘They track your progress and are


Pupils & parents

Six main categories – problems with traditional schooling; desire for flexible learning; travelling families; children with SEND; long-standing home schoolers; and wanting a different education focus. Others are seeking supplementary education to

3,740
Number of pupils

Money matters

Just over half (57 per cent) of parents rated the college as very good value for money, 33 per cent as good and only three parents in total as poor. We found it cheaper than most online colleges with live lessons (which the colleges considers its

Fee information
Varies per course

The last word

An exceptionally professional and longstanding distance learning school that provides a flexible, innovative, well supported and accredited curriculum. With subject specialists, well-resourced support services and a huge breadth of courses, it’s a


Inspection reports

Wolsey Hall Oxford school badge

What the school says

Wolsey Hall Oxford is the world’s most experienced flexible learning provider. Established 130 years ago, thousands of students have accessed high quality education at home, with many going on to attend top universities worldwide.

Wolsey Hall Oxford is delighted to be a Cambridge accredited school. Our courses are open to students aged 4-18 so learners can complete their whole school age education with us, studying a curriculum that is respected worldwide.

The home learning environment means students can study at a time and pace to suit them as there are no online classes to attend. For some this can mean studying at a higher academic level, while others enjoy the flexibility of more time to ensure they really grasp each module. Strong independent learning skills and time management are developed along the way which prepares students well for higher education.

Supporting each and every student:

Our highly qualified and experienced tutors are passionate in their specialist subjects and thrive on passing this passion on to their students. They are always available to answer questions and provide support.

Upon enrolment, a student progress manager is assigned to the pupil and is their main point of contact building a strong relationship. They answer queries, provide encouragement, and help to keep them on track with their study schedule.

Our learning support team has extensive experience of supporting children with a wide variety of additional needs. The team helps to remove and adapt to barriers of learning so that each student can reach their full potential.

A student’s experience at Wolsey Hall Oxford:

‘I have been a student at Wolsey Hall for just about five years now. I did my IGCSE and A levels and now graduating soon. I am pleased to say that I’ve had the most amazing experience with them. Wolsey Hall provides each student with the flexibility to balance a healthy school life, while still helping them stay in task (through the specially designed course schedules, catered by your student progress manager). The teachers at Wolsey have been nothing less than incredible, with them always willing to help in any way you need. They leave detailed annotations and feedback on every submitted piece of work. I am forever grateful for the amazing staff at Wolsey Hall, as they have supported me through my studies, and pushed me to believe in my academic capabilities in a way I never did before - truly heroes!’ Mia

A parent’s perspective:

‘I am delighted to provide a positive report on my daughter's two-year study experience for IGCSEs at Wolsey Hall. Several key factors throughout her journey contributed to an enriching and successful educational experience – the programme's flexibility, the staff's quality in providing written feedback and suggesting further reading and the professional support provided by the student progress manager. These have all contributed to her academic success and personal growth. I cannot thank Wolsey Hall enough for their dedication to providing a top-quality education and supporting my daughter every step of the way.’ John

Last updated 08 August 2025

Key links to information you need

Contact the school

Address

Midland House
West Way
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX2 0PH
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Wolsey Hall Oxford Midland House, West Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 0PH
3,740 Pupil numbers
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Wolsey Hall Oxford and is updated annually. See the review

We do not receive results data for this school. Find out more.

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Entry and exit data

We do not have entry or exit data for pupils at this school. Find out more


SEN overview

Wolsey Hall Oxford is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, including those with additional needs. Our unique approach to homeschooling provides an ideal environment for students to work at their own pace, choose study methods that suit their individual needs, and tailor their learning spaces to best fit their personal preferences. With no online lessons to attend, families have complete control over their home-based education, with peace of mind that the right curriculum content is being covered. By choosing Wolsey Hall Oxford, families can create a supportive and adaptable learning environment that empowers students with SEND to thrive academically and personally. Every student is an individual and there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to learning support. There may be times when there are challenges or barriers to learning encountered by a student. We are happy to use our experience to help you manage the learning at home.

Tier 1: Supporting all learners Flexible and personalised learning schedule that allows students to choose their subjects, pace, level of study, schedule, breaks, time of day. A dedicated student progress manager (SPM) is on hand to answer questions and give advice, monitoring overall progress. Support from specialist tutors, who are qualified UK teachers, with a wealth of experience working with students with diverse learning and wellbeing needs. Regular feedback from expert tutors will help learners understand their progress and identify areas for improvement. Access to a wide range of resources through our support for learning course, where you will find an abundance of tips and tools for effective learning. Our easy to use Canvas learning platform, with a simple and intuitive interface that allows learners to access their courses, assignments, grades, feedback, and communication tools. We provide varied and engaging learning materials. The course content is presented in multiple formats, such as text, video, audio, and interactive simulations, catering for all learning preferences.

Tier 2: Targeted support and information Student progress managers (SPMs) will be walking through the learning journey with you, every step of the way. They will have an oversight of progress and will be able to offer targeted advice and support, enabling students to stay focused and on track. For example, this might be offering strategies on how to stay organised or information on how to create an effective study space at home.

Tier 3: One-to-one bespoke sessions with a specialist tutor (paid services) We have a team of specialist tutors who can offer tailored one-to-one online sessions in all areas of SEND and wellbeing, from ADHD to anxiety (and everything in between). Short or long-term services of support can be put in place for our students. We have a range of interventions that can help students reach their full potential and overcome any barriers to learning. Interventions aim to create strong, independent learners who feel ready to tackle their studies with confidence. We offer a range of additional learning support services designed to enhance the educational experience and cater to individual needs. Our paid-for learning support services include:

General consultation: support for parents of children with additional needs, helping to navigate their educational journey. Access arrangement advice: expert advice for parents seeking special arrangements for their child during I/GCSE, AS, and A Level examination phases. One-to-one student sessions with a learning support specialist: personalised sessions focused on addressing the specific additional needs of each student. Wellbeing and positive mental health support: one-to-one sessions dedicated to promoting student wellbeing and mental health.

Updated Feb 2025

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs Yes
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing Yes
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay Yes
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs Yes
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired Yes
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